NEWS ARCHIVE

Pharmacists Mutual reminds everyone to be vigilant regarding predicted storms, their path, and intensity. Also, be aware that storm surge is considered flooding and not covered unless specific flood coverage/policy is in place. Please take action to protect your property from flooding. Read More »

30 Years Read More »

Did you know that pharmacies have provided more than 141 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines across the country as of early October? Last year, 48 million flu vaccines were given at pharmacies. As we continue to battle through the pandemic and this year’s flu season, it is important to be vigilant when providing multiple vaccines. There have been reports of mix-ups between COVID-19 vaccines and… Read More »

Contact: Lindsay Pilgrim lindsay.pilgram@phmic.com; 515-395-7277 www.phmic.com Read More »

Algona, IA – Pharmacists Mutual has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2021 honor by Iowa Top Workplaces for the fifth consecutive year. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization:… Read More »

Tropical Storm Ida is currently in the Caribbean and expected to gain strength and become a hurricane this weekend. If it continues the predicted path, upper Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle could have impact. Read More »

Tropical Storm Henri is expected to gain strength and become a hurricane by Saturday. If it continues the predicted path, it could make a rare landfall in New York, Rhode Island or Massachusetts by Sunday. Risks of storm surge, wind, and rain impacts in portions of southern New England and eastern Long Island are increasing. As with any storm, the predicted path is subject to change, so you are… Read More »

Patty Elbert – In 1996, Patty joined Pharmacists Mutual as a Life/Health Account Admin. In 2001 she became a Coverage Advisor. In 2017 she was promoted to Coverage Advisor Manager where she remains today. Patty received the Quality Performance award in 1998 and 2002, the Gung Ho Award in 2010, Multi Line Producer Award in 2011, Coverage Advisor Sales Leader in 2014, Coverage Advisor of the Year… Read More »

Case study: A patient presents to the pharmacy for a COVID-19 vaccine. During the intake process, the pharmacist mistakenly pulls the Moderna vaccine for a 16-year-old patient. The error is discovered during the documentation process after the injection was given. What should the pharmacist do? Read More »

Another court ruling involving pharmacists’ duties in the dispensing of opioid prescriptions has been issued. Like the Ohio case referenced in September 2020, the latest ruling involves the idea of Red Flags and pharmacists’ duty to resolve them. Shortly after the Ohio decision, Walmart filed suit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) in the Eastern District of Texas seeking a declaratory… Read More »

The Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) has launched a National Emphasis Program (NEP), which focuses enforcement efforts on industries that have the greatest number of workers at serious risk of contracting the coronavirus. These are temporary programs, short of issuing an emergency Covid-19 safety standard, which many thought would come after President Biden’s executive order on… Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual cares very much about the well-being of our members. We support the rights of people to assemble and protest injustice peaceably. We stand opposed to any violence and destruction that is perpetrated by groups in the cities and towns that we serve. We know that you are concerned about the civil unrest that has impacted numerous areas of our nation this past year. It is essential… Read More »

As we move beyond the dark path created by the COVID-19 pandemic, we look forward to the prospect of greener pastures afforded through mass vaccinations. While the vaccination will lend itself greater control of the virus, it also presents a series of moral and ethical obligations to business owners of all sizes. There is no one size fits all approach to handling this topic in your workplace. We… Read More »

Algona, Iowa – Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, with its century-long legacy for personalized service to its members nationwide, is pleased to unveil professional liability coverage specifically for Pharmacy Technicians. The pharmacy technician profession is ever-changing and expanding. With these changes, there is an increase in professional liability exposure for the technician.… Read More »

Dear Pharmacists Mutual California Members, Read More »

As active COVID-19 cases climb in northern Iowa, I have made the difficult decision to close the PMIG Algona, Iowa office to most employees and the public. Effective Monday, September 21, 2020, all Algona employees, with limited exceptions, will be working remotely. Similarly, the PMC Advantage offices will be open by appointment only. Read More »

Algona, IA – Pharmacists Mutual has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by The Des Moines Register. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including… Read More »

For members with insurance policies issued in Louisiana and Texas who are affected by Hurricane Laura Upon request, payments due on Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, Chiron Insurance Company, and Rx Life policies (administered by Pharmacists Mutual) may be deferred for up to 60 days to provide extra time to work through this crisis. If you take advantage of this grace period, your policy will… Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company Joins the Arbor Day Foundation’s Time for Trees™ Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual is always with you – especially during your time of need. We are providing premium deferral of up to 60 days to members impacted by the fires in California. Read More »

Algona, Iowa – July 16, 2020 – Aon plc, a leading global professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement, human capital, and health solutions, has released the list of Ward’s 50® top-performing insurance companies for 2020, identifying U.S. companies that have achieved superior financial performance. Ward benchmarking is the leading operational and compensation benchmarking… Read More »

As a member of Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, you are invited to the annual meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. This meeting will be held virtually. If you are interested in attending the virtual meeting, please register at https://AnnualMeeting.phmic.com between July 20 and August 18, 2020, at noon. The agenda for this meeting is a report to members, the election of… Read More »

On Friday, June 5th, Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker signed an omnibus labor bill that includes death benefits for first responders who were presumably infected with COVID-19 while on duty and workers’ compensation benefits for essential workers under certain conditions. Read More »

Are you covered to order and administer COVID-19 tests to your patients? Yes, you are! Pharmacists are permitted to order and perform testing for COVID-19 pursuant to a declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act. These activities are already included in the definition of Pharmacy Services in your professional… Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company has been helping our members through difficult times for more than 110 years. Due to a reduction in travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we are refunding approximately 15% of Pharmacists Mutual’s personal auto premium earned in April and May of this year. The refund will be offered as a one-time premium credit of $25 per auto to our personal auto… Read More »

April 3, 2020 Read More »

Congress recently passed and President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act into law on March 27, 2020. The Act contains a multitude of provisions on a number of different topics. Pharmacists Mutual is providing this summary to help you implement the requirements under the Act. Since every business has unique circumstances, this Alert is for general… Read More »

Congress recently passed and President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (HR 6201), which becomes effective April 1, 2020 and continues through December 31, 2020. Pharmacists Mutual is providing this alert to its members to help you implement the requirements under the act. Read More »

Columbus, OH – March 19, 2020 Indy Health Inc. has partnered with Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company to provide support for independent pharmacies and their patients. Indy Health Inc. has formed Indy Health Insurance Company, which will provide a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan designed to be friendly to independent pharmacies and patients. Indy Health Insurance Company is a transparent… Read More »

March 16. 2021 Read More »

Jen Aultman, CPhT, Risk Management Consultant Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual has been awarded a 2019 Top Workplaces honor for the third consecutive year by The Des Moines Register. The list of companies recognized is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC, a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of… Read More »

Algona, Iowa – July 17, 2019 Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, with its century-long legacy in the insurance and risk management market, is pleased to announce that it has been named to the prestigious Ward’s 50®list of top insurance companies for 2019. This marks the fourth consecutive year Pharmacists Mutual has earned this esteemed recognition. Read More »

Jen Aultman, Risk Management Consultant, CPhT Read More »

With winter behind us, our thoughts turn to spring and summer. Unfortunately, with the change of season, also comes the threat of tornados. As with every threat we face in life, putting it into context helps us decide what to do to prepare for the threat. Read More »

Don McGuire of Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company was among those attending the meeting of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) in Oklahoma City. The purpose was to assist NCPA and other pharmacy groups in advocating for a PBM Licensure and Regulation Model Act. NCPA and its partners have worked on this effort for the last nine months. NCPA’s regulatory affairs VP Ronna… Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual is always with you – especially during your time of need. We are providing premium deferral through January 15, 2019, to all our members affected by the recent hurricane in Georgia and part of Florida. Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, with its century-long legacy in the insurance and risk management market, is pleased to announce that it has been named on the prestigious Ward’s 50 list of top insurance companies for 2018. This marks the third consecutive year Pharmacists Mutual has earned this esteemed recognition. Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual has been awarded a 2018 Top Workplaces honor by The Des Moines Register. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC (formerly WorkplaceDynamics), a leading provider of technology-based employee engagement tools. The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including… Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual Provides Premium Deferral through December 31st for Puerto Rico Read More »

THE DES MOINES REGISTER NAMES PHARMACISTS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY A WINNER OF THE STATE OF IOWA 2017 TOP WORKPLACES AWARD Read More »

Pharmacists Mutual Provides Premium Deferral through November 15, 2017 for those in Specified Areas Impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Read More »

Algona, Iowa – July 27, 2017 – Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, with its century-long legacy in the insurance and risk management market, is pleased to announce that it has been named to the prestigious Ward’s 50 list of top insurance companies for 2017. This marks the second consecutive year Pharmacists Mutual has earned this esteemed recognition. Read More »

Algona, Iowa – July 20, 2017 – Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company, a nationally recognized leader with a century-long legacy in the insurance and risk management market, today announced its new vision and tag line: “Tomorrow. Imagine That.” With this comes a planned refresh of the company’s corporate logo. Members and employees will begin to see the new logo revealed across print and digital… Read More »

The Illinois Department of Insurance issued Bulletin 2017-03 on July 17, 2017, regarding the flooding that has affected Cook, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties in Illinois. This bulletin was issued to all companies licensed to transact business in Illinois. Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company and The Pharmacists Life Insurance Company are aware of this bulletin, and we are complying with the… Read More »

People often see dentists as professional, caring, ethical and honest individuals. However, there are employees and some dentists out there that can tarnish this image. An emerging issue that is growing is fraud in the dental practice. According to the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association, of the $250 billion spent on dental care procedures annually, an estimated $12.5 billion, or 5%, is… Read More »

Do you have cracks in your home’s foundation walls or floor? Cracks in your foundation can allow water to seep in, causing damage to the interior of your home. These cracks can also let in something you can’t even see-. You may have a guest in your house and not even know it. The name of this guest is Radon; a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for… Read More »

Since the CDC declared an epidemic of prescription drug abuse in the United States in 2010, numerous programs and initiatives have been implemented to control access to narcotics. These have included prescription drug monitoring, increased DEA activity, addiction treatment funding, changes in prescription guidelines, drug take back programs, crackdowns on pill mills, and rescheduling of… Read More »

To prevent a back up of your sewer and drain system, it is helpful for property owners to be aware of what might cause a back up, and what preventative measures can be taken. Whether you are purchasing a new home, or have owned your property for several years, it can provide great benefit to have a professional inspect your plumbing system and give feedback. Aging plumbing systems could have pipe… Read More »

Community pharmacists face a growing challenge: They are being asked to fill an increasing number of veterinary prescriptions. This trend is here to stay, and the challenges pharmacists face in filling pet prescriptions will be compounded if the Fairness to Pet Owners Act of 2015 is enacted as law. This Act would require veterinarians to provide a prescription, up front, for pet owners to fill… Read More »

Looking for smart phone apps for Pharmacists? Type “smart phone apps for the pharmacist” in a Google search and you’ll get about 92,000,000 hits. We found it pretty easy to search through and find something for just about every aspect of pharmacy. Everything from drug guides to symptom checkers, apps about vacinations and even popular publications.We contacted two organizations that offered apps… Read More »

No businessowner wants to think about an employee stealing from them. Nor does a businessowner want to think about their vendors stealing from them. Even if we don’t want to think about these things happening, the reality is, it most likely has or will happen. Do you really know what your business insurance covers or what different types of crimes are considered in your coverage package? Read More »

Insurance fraud − in the most simple of terms − is a lie told to steal the financial protections and benefits of insurance. Read More »

Have you ever made mental note of some paperwork you have at home which deserves special treatment and safety? Maybe it is an old love letter your parents exchanged, or a copy of a special photograph. How about your social security card? If any of these things has come to mind, a safe deposit box might be something to consider. Safe deposit boxes can ensure the safety of the item from theft or… Read More »

The winter of 2014 brought with it a significant number claims related to ice dams. With the next winter approaching, we thought it would be helpful to provide some information on ice dams: how they form, strategies to prevent and/or remove them, and tips on protecting your property from resulting leaks. Read More »

Prescription drug abuse has reached epidemic proportions across the country. In 2011, over 6 million people aged 12 or older abused prescription drugs, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a government agency that conducts a national survey on related topics each year. The same survey showed that over 50% of people abusing these drugs got them from friends… Read More »

Case: An independent pharmacy filling high-doses of narcotic CNS depressants for a middle-aged man, receives notice of a claim. The patient was found unresponsive by his wife, and pronounced dead at the scene. Toxicology reports indicate supratherapeutic concentrations of hydrocodone, oxycodone, and alprazolam. Additionally, multiple tablets of Oxycontin® are found in the patient’s stomach upon… Read More »

To say we have busy lives is an understatement. Most of us could use more time in our day. We have many things to do and keep track of. Caring for our families and homes are responsibilities most of us take pride in. From major home improvement projects to painting a wall, a little help can go a long way. With numerous items to maintain in a home, a reminder to change the furnace filter on… Read More »

At Pharmacists Mutual, the Risk Management department regularly reviews pharmacy crimes to evaluate ways to help member companies consider security measures in their pharmacies. A burglar often visits a pharmacy before breaking in. The average burglar visits his or her target five times; allowing them to check out motion sensors and other security measures, learn where drugs are stored, and get… Read More »

A recent edition of Pharmacy Today magazine contained an article that talked about pharmacists getting the right drug at the right dose to the right patient at the right time. The article was discussing pharmacogenetics and not dispensing errors. However, the article did remind me how critical it is to deliver the proper medication to the patient. Read More »